The Thunderbirds Carnival Band and Karnival Korner Karnival Band have threatened legal action in opposition to the Afrikulture Stilt Walkers being judged the Adult Band of the Year for Carnival 2016.
On Friday, February 12, the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) announced the winners of the Carnival road parades, noting that the Afrikulture Stilt Walkers: Tempest Island Alive, is the Adult Band of the year.
But in a letter to the DDA, dated February 17, Thunderbirds Band leader, Caesar Emmanuel and the leader of Karnival Korner’s Band, Emmanuel Loblack, expressed their “disagreement and opposition” to the results.
They pointed to a document entitled “Judging Criteria for Adult Band of the Year Carnival Tuesday parade Judging Time 11am to 2pm” which they say points out the following:
A. Band must satisfy the following criteria to be eligible to participate in the competition and be adjudged Band of the Year.
- the Carnival Band must be registered with the Dominica Festivals Committee
- have a minimum of 50 adult persons
- carry measuring 4’ x 9’ banner depicting the title of the concept being portrayed
- display its banner at the front of the band
- have a king and queen of the band and make at least two complete rounds around the route.
Loblack and Emmanuel state that based on observation by video, eyewitness accounts and words aired in the media of a senior member of the Afrikulture Stilt Walkers, the band “could not and did not have a minimum of 50 adult persons taken to mean persons of 18 years and over.”
“In fact, the said member stated that last year the group had 39 persons and that this year the number had increased to 51 persons. Assuming but not admitting that what was quoted by the said member is and was true, we submit that 50 of those persons were not of adult age,” the letter states. “Additionally, we draw to the attention of your office that the Band did not ‘make at least 2 complete rounds along the route’ in accordance with the guidelines.”
They added, “In the circumstances, we request that Afrikulture Stilt Walkers be disqualified as a participant and the winner of the Adult Band of the year for having clearly breached the criteria to be eligible to participate in the Adult Band Parade on Carnival Tuesday and be adjudged Band of the Year.”
The two wrote that failure by the DDA to disqualify the Afrikulture Stilt Walkers or to provide a satisfactory response (including evidence that the Afrikulture Stilt Walkers did not, on Carnival Tuesday, violate the judging criteria) no later than February 26, 2016 will leave them with no alternative but to seek legal redress.
Can the DFC please make the criteria available for the edification of the general public to disallow “as it suits me” ambiguity and paraphrasing? I note that in the letter it says “adult persons” but word on the street is that the 2016 rules do not contain the word “adult” but just “persons”. A very significant interpretation and I would be disheartened if the two bands are disingenuously feeding the public falsehoods just to give life to their argument. My opinion. DFC, the public awaits.
Wrong is wrong, right is right, it is time Dominicans get serious about following rules. This country is out of control and it is a form of lack of discipline. It is a form of politricks and this country needs to get its act together. We are going down a narrow and slippery slope and rules and regulations in this country is practically out of the window. People look at the bigger picture it is not about the youth or the culture or for that matter just giving somebody else a chance, it is about honesty and truthfulness and doing what is correct. This is why rule of law in Dominica is suffering in this country. From top to bottom is violating rules. Such a simple thing should not reach this far
You know it is amazing how we accept wrong so easily. We fail to see what is right and accept good principles. We see things in a miopic view. If we take time to understand what the two bands are pointing we will clearly understand that it is about doing what is right for the good of the culture and the future. Right is right, correctness should not be compromised. Today it is Thurnderbirds and Karnival Korner, tomorrow it is some another band. See it in good light. The decision is clearly outside the criteria set out. I think the bwa bwa was beautiful, but the question is did it meet the criteria for band of the year. In my opinion they should be judged in a separate category. They are a group. I had the liberty to look at the judging rules and the points made are just one part,, other parts were not even stated such as lavwe, suitability of music, interplay vibrancy. What amount of lavwe and vibrancy could the stilt walkers display on those stilts. Question?
Now hear this,the King of the band of Carnival Corner is the CHAIRMAN of the Dominica Festivals,would that be a little of something like CONFLICT OF INTEREST ? Just asking!!
Risiki, King of the band is not based on the individual, its based on the creativity of the costume and how its being portrayed and carried….
That is YOUR interpretation,spin doctor. HE is still the king of the bands and HE is rhe chaifman of the comission.
Oh lobby it hurting you it hurting you heard yo. On the news crying for what take it like a big man thee group deserve there win come man recycled costumes come on and shame on the band leader of Thunder birds shame win is win that why dominica won’t go no where to much fighting but really and truly lobby you need that money they giving for band of the year man to take a vacation it lookin so go and pray take wifey out spend time with your family die instead of a sad man
I think we might as well change the name of our beautiful island from ‘Dominica’ to Law Suite Isle; or better yet from ‘Nature Island’ to Law suite Island. It won’t be long for us to hear people suing people for their peepee or poopoo.
Skerrit and co have made a mockery of our courts and laws that all we hearing of is law suit. I guess it also a sign that people have become so damn poor, without seeing anyway out except through a law suit.
I think they qualify for a different category they are really good and we live them. However the protesting parties have q point. I am sure that all the judges can read!
There are too many in Dominica that take things for granted and accept wrong doing too easily. Just look at most of the comments here. The Festival Committee must adhere to its own rules. Simple! Sticking to the rules will avoid confusion and hate. It will also encourage others to participate in events. I suppose because of the style of political governance we have had since the start of the new millennium the culture is changing. People are now accepting violations and disregard of the law and established rules as the norm.
Papa, we so desperate and enwagay, that now we want to sue for carnival band? Boy, de country nice!
One can understand the frustration but if things have to be taken this far every year either for calypso lyrics or bands, then people should just save themselves the time, money and effort and not participate.
Perhaps in that way, there would be only 4 calypso competitors, each of whom will place, and 2 carnival bands, each of which will place.
These two bands must brainstorm and come up with new ideas. There is no creativity in them, need new blood. There is no need for the fighting according to the song on the way back ERicka will take everything.We are always crying down young people now they are doing something positive we want to drag them to court. Carnival corner stay in the corner and Thunderbirds grow up and give the young ones a break.
It is a sad situationin this Country now big man fighting over “a group or band”. I looked at the parade the Stilt Walkers group or band was very creative. There were adults on stilts and other sections too. In all my years watching Carnival this group or band has been very creative. So what is the problem, the esteem judges people with integrity, from what I saw would not give a win for winning sake, I am sure they followed the criteria, I heard it was revised and those people still come back and win them lol.
I think those bands should go back to the drawing board, change their always theme and recycle issues and be creative. Because I can tell you even if they not on stilts they coming stronger next year.
Lets work for the arts not against the arts. Its our carnival lets not spoil it with those type of behavious.
The group or band won Lets accpet defeat and come back stronger and with more creativity.
I think that the Carnival Corner and Thunderbirds should stop this nonsense. Firstly they should refer to the new rules for the carnival bands effective 2016. The judging if for BAND OF THE YEAR.
Secondly the stilt walkers did qualify to win the title since they had the required number of persons. and satisfy all criteria.
The criteria is as follows
Guidelines
A. Band must satisfy the following criteria to be eligible to participate in the competition and be adjudged Band of the Year.
The Carnival Band must:
1. Be registered with the Dominica Festival Committee
2. Have a minimum of 50 persons
3. Carry measuring 4’ x 9’ banner depicting the title of the concept being
portrayed.
4. Display its banner at the front of the band.
5. Have a King and Queen of the band.
6. Make at least 2 complete rounds along the route.
So please stop discriminating against the stilt walkers. every year is the same nonsense. Every year is the same…
Mr lo black shame on you it disgust me that you going after a group of young people that seems to me putted a lot of work to show case there talent and the hard work pay off. Un like urs wuth recycled costumes 3 years ago to come and compete with fresh ideas to me there dont have a case and Collin piper knows better shame on you what are we telling visitors when they read this news nr loblack you recently got married enjoy your marriage bring ur loving wife in a vacation instead you fighting young people Shane on you man shame every Sunday you in church in a chore singing and your heart black like that against kids shame loblack shame and i hope Curtis talking to you because Curtis has many grands kids now supposed Curtis grand child was in bwa bwa i wonder really wonder what would you do lo black
Discover Dominica Authority has to bear the full burden of this embarassment. This is a band of mainly young children and teenagers. Beautiful band and deserve to win even band of the year but not as ADULTS. How can they be so stupid and short sighted to do this to the children who practised day and night for long hours. DDA is the issue they need to stick to the rules. These poor kids are paying the price of adults stupidity as for threatening legal action I’m thinking it’s part of the strategy to get a retraction.
I support the Thunderbirds and Carnival Korners 100%. In the first place the Bai bai band should be judged separately with a minimum of twenty five members. You cannot judge apples and oranges and because the oranges appear to be sweeter, you consider them to be the best fruit.
You know that is why so many people get away with so many things in DA….. because too many people are of the opinion that we should sweep too many things under the carpet and live it there. Fair is fair and rules are rules.
OMG, another law suit??!! Alas, tailors must be working some serious over time in this country. SMFH!
Good luck fellows, go and fight the dragon! Rules are rules except if you are the Govt. or their agents where the dictum :”do as I say, don’t do as I do” applies. To me it looks as if it was predetermined that the stilt people would win regardless.
What are these guys fighting for? Do we participate in carnival because of our love for our culture and our desire to showcase what we have to offer or are we in it to win a prize?
DNO, can you inform your readership of the prize money at stake here?
The fact is, walking on stilts is creative, it gives them the edge!
But working adults cannot commit to practicing Bwa Bwa for weeks as these children do in the gardens. They should not be judged in the same way the adult bands are judged. Another person commented that its not about the prize. That is true but at the same time rules are rules. And there is a tangible prize at stake.
I think you know the answer to the question you just can’t accept that rules are rules. Calypso ,Queen, Princess competition are all done in the spirit of carnival but it is a competition. A huge part of the effort to create a band calyoso, queen perfirmance is because of the competition. The competition is what motivates band organizers just the same
In fominica we are too quick to accept what is wrong over what is right And We Look For All Kinds Of Silly Excuses To Justify What Is Wrong. When some people play by the rules and other get rewarded for disregardin the rules we create a disruptI’ve and underachieved society. Short cut , cheating g lying,stealing , Boboling only leads to decadence and destruction. Need I say more.
It is not always about money. If there are standards and criteria then these standards should be upheld. We not to stop touting this love of country theme as a reason to accept and not question things that are wrong or questionable.
The bottom line is rules are rules and people must adhere to rules no matter who you are.
What the Heck?
Really?
It looks like court fee in Dominica is too low and needs to be revised. Everything is take it to court. Just accept that you were not the best and come back next year better. I just hope they doesn’t say it politics that made them lose.
Hello my people, we must learn to free up. It’s just a little carnival band why the big force. I’m a costume building when our camp get’s best costume we get no reward and every time the other camp gets best costume they are being rewarding. We make no force. That’s life. There’s no fearness among black people so move on.
*fuss*
*rewarded*
honestly, spell-check is your friend.
*fairness*
smh.
Maybe that is why we are so behind in many things as black people. But then many have sacrifice so that we as black people are treated fairly but here it is you believe it is ok to treat each other unfairly. We can’t move on rewarding lawlessness and shortcutting.
I am saddened by your comments.
If it was just for free up then there would be no rules, judging criteria, awards, winners etc. Standing up for right is not making a fuss. It is sad that you have accepted that there is no fairness among black people and have moved on. Many of us black people cannot do the same.
Only a fool would not stand up for there rights, if u are treated unfairly u need to take a stand if not people will always push you around, it is not a matter of black people it is a matter of justice. Thunderbirds & Karnival Korner need to take a stand against this injustice, i suggest violence on dem fellas cause that court system is a joke. Too much injustice in Dominica, and when there is not justice we have no peace.
Well Rules are Rules. We should follow the rules especially if we are the ones who establish the rules. While it might sound petty to go to court, based on the evidence, the bands seem justified. I would like to see what the out come is…..
My opinion exactly! Closed Case, what is good for the goose is good for the Gander. We have to learn that we just cant continue to kick the Can down the Road because we can. Rules are Rulues, and have to be followed, Yes! difficult, in Some Dominican case. But in the end It is a standing Rule and guidelines must be followed. Life!!!!!! In Contex.
I agree with you rules are rules and it looks like in Dominica rules are easily broken and nothing is done about that. When government is the main rule breaker what do you expect. We have to learn to be just and fair.
I find that is stretching it too far,for a title????understanding where the past title holder’s are coming from can’t this be settled more amecably, I mean come on young person’s with innovation and commendabilty you all challenging there!!
Now you are not being objective here.
The rules are in place to avoid situation that may take them to the court. If you have rules / guidelines/ policies that are not up to date or out of time and circumstance then change them so everyone can know them and plan accordingly. You see fellas, you cannot change the rules of a football game after the game has started because all of a sudden one side change their uniform to look more like Dominica flag. Its like the calypso association having their judging rules in place but refusing to give Karessah the crown because he is the ugliest
even if he did everything else by the book and won.
Facts are stubborn things and as such I support the bands in going to court. We too like vye-kee-vye things in Dominica. Its about time we start holding people with some kind of authority accountable.
Always Assertive!
Mr Loblack and Mr Emmanuel may I suggest that you actually actively engage in better theme and costume planning…. be more creative with your band theme and not simply recycle old costumes and ideas and you may possibly win next year.
While the points raised by the two bands regarding judging criteria may be valid, threatening legal action is extreme. Carnival is not a business for the participants, judges, other volunteers and carnival lovers. I personally, was wowed by the stilt walkers and rated them the best as an onlooker. I also give cudos to all the costume bands and float parades. This year was the best in a long time. There are other ways to address the judges decisions and other concerns about Carnival. Involving neutral mediators in the discussions is a good way to begin.
You rated them the best based on what?
Because it was children walking on tall sticks??
That is all you see Bwa Bwa as……children walking on sticks ? Leah Remy you are as cold as turkey. I wonder if you have kids ? If you do i do feel sorry for them for having a mother like you. You people have no idea what this skill is about. Can you walk on stilts ? Its persons like you that drive kids to do mischief.
Agreed, filing a law suit kills the carnival spirit and disheartens the young children and young adults from wanting to participate in carnival in a civilized and clean manner.
Bravo *Claps*
It’s the same question on some of our minds as last year. Though there are undeniable adults in the group, they are really not a band of adults. So why is the group being judged in the adults’ division? And they are not a band, they are registered as a “Group”.
How do you know what they are registered as? And what is a “band”? Do you even know the definition of the word? I think your statement is a misconception of what this Karnival Korner has been feeding the public. So stop being ignorant. Mr Loblack needs to accept defeat but just like the UWP everything is a challenge.
Mr Piper and the DFC please hurry up and put this useless complaint to rest once and for all.
And to Mr Emanuel I am ashamed since Thunderbirds had stilt walkers and children too. Well all bands had!
Well to tell u the truth you cant blame Thunderbird and karnival corner…. they are right.. regardless of beautiful they looked.